I am torn and tormented by the health care town hall "discussions" that are turning into mayhem. I do believe that a thorough discussion needs to happen. I support the right to voice concern and opposition. We need to support 1st amendment rights for those on all points in the political belief spectrum. But violence? Orchestrated disruption? At what point do we say that the planned disruptions are robbing others of their 1st amendment freedom of speech?
I recall the ACLU defending the rights of the Nazi party to march and demonstrate in Skokie, Illinois during the 60's. I wondered at the time why the ACLU would do this....especially in a city inhabited by the largest number of Holocaust survivors in the U.S. at the time. The lesson? If we don't defend the rights of all people in our democratic society, we indeed threaten these very freedoms for the rest of our society.
It sickens me to see these "radical" right wingers take aim at health care reform based upon deliberately planted misinformation and scare tactics. Yet, despite my beliefs that health care reform is desperately needed in our country, I understand the greater need to allow these opponents a voice and a forum. Regardless of the tactic. Regardless of the level of misinformation. Regardless of the large special interest efforts to taint the issue.
Our country is great because we have and will continue to overcome division and dissent. Let's let these town hall meetings play out. Let's bombard our Congressmen with our letters of support and opposition. Then, let's let our elected officials do the the work that we sent them to Washington to do...represent us. If they develop policies that we don't like, the voter's booth awaits. This is what makes the United States of America a place I am proud to call home.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Trading Deadline
Was Jim Hendry showing remarkable patience or a tight budget as the trade deadline approached this year? The ownership situation has definitely impacted his flexibility and ability to make the "big trade" (think Sox and Peavy) but I like the move to get Grabow and Gorzelanny from the Pirates.
This team can compete. Decent starting pitching. A good core of hitters in the lineup. A solid bullpen. A good bench. Can it win the division? It will be close. Can it win the World Series? In a word...no. I would love to think that this is the year. Sorry Cubs fans. We always have next year.
Mr. Hendry, perhaps with new ownership, can obtain a #1 starter (Carlos only thinks he is an ace) and another left handed hitter this winter. Milton is coming around and his .380+ OBP makes him a contributor. As much as I like Fontenot and Theriot, we can upgrade at shortstop and 2nd base. Fukudome has shown that he is a quality, professional major leaguer. I would like to see him hit in the #2 hole or the #6 spot in the lineup. Perhaps a middle infielder that can switch hit and lead off? Sound like anyone you know? Stay tuned....
This team can compete. Decent starting pitching. A good core of hitters in the lineup. A solid bullpen. A good bench. Can it win the division? It will be close. Can it win the World Series? In a word...no. I would love to think that this is the year. Sorry Cubs fans. We always have next year.
Mr. Hendry, perhaps with new ownership, can obtain a #1 starter (Carlos only thinks he is an ace) and another left handed hitter this winter. Milton is coming around and his .380+ OBP makes him a contributor. As much as I like Fontenot and Theriot, we can upgrade at shortstop and 2nd base. Fukudome has shown that he is a quality, professional major leaguer. I would like to see him hit in the #2 hole or the #6 spot in the lineup. Perhaps a middle infielder that can switch hit and lead off? Sound like anyone you know? Stay tuned....
Friday, July 31, 2009
Health Care Politics
We are all affected by decisions being made in Washington about our health care system. I have outstanding health insurance because I have been blessed, to date, with excellent health. My wife has excellent coverage through her employer. We are in transition into retirement and many of our hopes and dreams for a happy and prosperous retirement depend on good health and affordable health insurance.
There is a part of me that says "don't mess", "keep the status quo", "leave it alone", "if it ain't broke...", and other phrases aimed at my self indulged benefit. Overwhelmingly, however, I know this isn't right. There are millions of people that can't afford health insurance. There are millions of children that don't get proper health care in our country. There are other millions that don't qualify for coverage because of pre-existing conditions. There are still others that have lost coverage due to changes in employment or dropped coverage by an employer trying to make ends meet.
President Obama is a good, bright, compassionate man. I voted for him not just because he was the best of two candidates but because he has a vision for a better America. I truly believe that he is just what America needs and has potential to be one of our great Presidents. One of his core values and agenda items is health care reform. This comes from his heart and experience. This comes form his interaction with thousands of Americans who have communicated with him about this issue.
There are days that I am angry at the people on the right who are opposed to his ideas simply because of their political party affiliation, because of their self indulgence or because of their bigotry. The effort to gain political advantage, the politics of hate, and the effort retake points in the polls are threatening the President's effort to aid the Americans that need it most. They are doing it with fear tactics via misleading television ads and the right wing talk radio circuit. We need to keep an open ear and clear mind at this important moment in history.
It is time to reform our health care system and to expand health insurance coverage for all Americans. A government run option, elimination of the pre-existing conditions exclusion, an effort to lower health care costs, a cap on medical liability lawsuits, creation of research-based health care standards, electronic record keeping and taxing the highest earning Americans as way to pay for it are all reasonable to me.
In the upcoming months there will be major efforts to minimize or kill this effort. For America's sake, I hope those efforts fail and Congress will deliver on a forward thinking health care reform bill.
There is a part of me that says "don't mess", "keep the status quo", "leave it alone", "if it ain't broke...", and other phrases aimed at my self indulged benefit. Overwhelmingly, however, I know this isn't right. There are millions of people that can't afford health insurance. There are millions of children that don't get proper health care in our country. There are other millions that don't qualify for coverage because of pre-existing conditions. There are still others that have lost coverage due to changes in employment or dropped coverage by an employer trying to make ends meet.
President Obama is a good, bright, compassionate man. I voted for him not just because he was the best of two candidates but because he has a vision for a better America. I truly believe that he is just what America needs and has potential to be one of our great Presidents. One of his core values and agenda items is health care reform. This comes from his heart and experience. This comes form his interaction with thousands of Americans who have communicated with him about this issue.
There are days that I am angry at the people on the right who are opposed to his ideas simply because of their political party affiliation, because of their self indulgence or because of their bigotry. The effort to gain political advantage, the politics of hate, and the effort retake points in the polls are threatening the President's effort to aid the Americans that need it most. They are doing it with fear tactics via misleading television ads and the right wing talk radio circuit. We need to keep an open ear and clear mind at this important moment in history.
It is time to reform our health care system and to expand health insurance coverage for all Americans. A government run option, elimination of the pre-existing conditions exclusion, an effort to lower health care costs, a cap on medical liability lawsuits, creation of research-based health care standards, electronic record keeping and taxing the highest earning Americans as way to pay for it are all reasonable to me.
In the upcoming months there will be major efforts to minimize or kill this effort. For America's sake, I hope those efforts fail and Congress will deliver on a forward thinking health care reform bill.
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